First 5 tigers removed from Tiger Temple by Thai authorities

The first five tigers have been removed from the infamous Tiger Temple, according to a wildlife foundation.

Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand said in a post on their Facebook page that Thai authorities had removed the tigers from the Kanchanaburi temple, formerly known as Wat Pa Luangta Bua Yannasampanno, overnight.

“The exploitation, illegal trade and torture is going to stop,” the foundation said in its post.

The controversial but popular tourist temple, which brings in US$3 million a year from tourists wanting to play with and take selfies with its 147 tigers, has long been accused of abusing and exploiting the animals.

Last week National Geographic magazine said it had uncovered evidence that the famous temple was trafficking the tigers on the black market.